Morocco's king responds to protests over pardon

RABAT, Morocco 
Morocco's King Mohamed VI says he would not have pardoned a Spanish man convicted of raping 11 children if he had been aware of his crimes.

The pardon sparked demonstrations that were broken up by police with clubs, leaving at least 63 people injured.

The king's cabinet said in a statement Sunday that the king "was never informed in any way or at any time of the severity of the crimes" committed by the Spaniard, one of 48 prisoners he pardoned July 30 at the request of Spain's King Juan Carlos.

The king "would never have consented" if he had been aware. The statement named the convict as Daniel Galvan Fina. He is believed to be in Spain.

The king ordered an investigation into those responsible for "this regrettable liberation."